'Iti Mapukpukaw' named Best Feature Film at 17th IAFF Animator in Poland
The Filipino animated film Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing) won big at the 17th International Animated Film Festival (IAFF) Animator.
The acclaimed sci-fi film added another recognition under its belt when it was named Best Feature Film at the prestigious festival held from June 25 to 30 in Poland.
It emerged victorious against the Hungarian animated documentary Pelikan Blue under the International Feature category.
Starring Carlo Aquino, Gio Gahol, and Dolly de Leon, Iti Mapukpukaw revolves around Eric, whose life "twists and turns after the arrival of the familiar alien, and the death of his uncle—both of which triggers him to remember his past and untangle his memories."
The coming-of-age drama by Carl Joseph Papa won Best Film in the full-length feature category of Cinemalaya Philippines Independent Film Festival 2023.
Other awards it garnered include Best Picture, Best Sound, and Best Animation at the 47th Gawad Urian Awards and Best Editing at the 72nd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards.
It also served as the country’s official entry to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature this year, though it failed to make it to the shortlist released last Dec. 22. Nevertheless, this makes it the first animated film submitted by the Philippines to the award show.
Project 8 Projects, the production company behind Iti Mapukpukaw, highlighted that the IAFF recognition is a large victory for Filipino animators.
"THE MISSING wins big at the ANIMATOR International Film Festival! The film takes home the BEST FEATURE FILM award, a big win for Filipino animators!" they stated in an Instagram post.
Iti Mapukpukaw, which can currently be streamed on Netflix, is slated to be screened at this year's New York Asian Film Festival on July 21.